A state-of-the-art Wits Anglo American Digital Dome opened on 1 February 2025 after undergoing major refurbishments. Formerly known as the Johannesburg Planetarium, the new space anticipates to forever change how South Africans teach, research, and engage with science, technology, business, sport, the humanities and the arts, in a multidisciplinary facility. Here’s all you need to know about the digital art destination.
What’s new at the Wits Anglo Digital Dome
The new Wits Anglo Digital Dome offers a 360° immersive experience for visitors of all ages, with a variety of weekly shows for young and old. It also serves as a modern teaching venue and a collaborative research space where scientists and students can visualise their work – be it in big data, astrophysics, the digital arts, artificial medicine, microbiology, or precision medicine.
Initially completed in 1960, the old Planetarium was the first full sized Planetarium in Africa. The new Digital Dome is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere, made possible through an investment of R90 million from Anglo American and Wits University.
On show at the Digital Dome:
100 Hours of Astronomy and World Space Week
The Wits Digital Dome is celebrating 100 Hours of Astronomy from 1 to 4 October, and World Space Week from 4 to 10 October 2026.
The 100 hours of Astronomy programme is as follows:
“Journey to the Stars” public show + Astronomy Talk titled “We are made of star dust”
“Journey to the Stars” presents the fascinating story that connects us all to the stars.
The show followed by a talk by Dr Tanita Ramburuth-Hurt on “We are made of star dust”, which interrogates how elements in the Universe are created inside of stars through nuclear fusion, long after the Big Bang. Among these elements are carbon, iron and calcium, the very building blocks of which we are made.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 1 October from 2pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
“Rising Star” public show+ Astronomy Talk titled “Astronomy Through the Spectrum”
“Rising Star” presents an astronomical journey from our beginnings through the development of astronomy research in South Africa through multi-wavelength and multi-messenger astronomy.
The show is followed by a talk by Dr Sheldon Herbst on “Astronomy Through the Spectrum” where guests travel through the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays, exploring how astronomers detect these different forms of electromagnetic radiation and, more importantly, what phenomena produce them.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Friday, 2 October from 2pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
“Worlds Beyond Earth” show + “Ask an astronomer” panel
“Worlds Beyond Earth” takes viewers on an exhilarating adventure through our cosmic neighbourhood. Immersive visualisations showcase the solar system with unprecedented accuracy, including a landing on the cratered surface of our own Moon, a dramatic flight through the swirling rings of Saturn, and soaring encounters with distant worlds of active volcanoes and buried oceans.
The show is followed by the “Ask an astronomer” panel where the public can ask space related questions to a panel of astronomers.
Cost: R50pp, book via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 3 October from 4pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Plus, on Sunday, 4 October, the dome will open a space-themed art competition for kids that’ll run until 4 December 2026.
The World Space Week programme is as follows:
Public Show: “Dark Universe” show + Astronomy Talk titled “Black Holes: From Cosmic Shadows to the Fabric of Reality”
“Dark Universe” celebrates the pivotal discoveries that have led to greater knowledge of the universe and our place in it. The show followed by a talk by Dr Sam van Leuven on “Black Holes: From Cosmic Shadows to the Fabric of Reality”.
Black holes are one of the most dramatic objects in the universe, and with recent discoveries, they have been transformed from strange mathematical possibilities in Einstein’s theory of gravity into real objects present even in our very own galaxy.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Tuesday, 6 October from 3pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
“Cosmic Collisions” show + Astronomy Talk titled “Cosmic Messengers: Exploring the Universe Beyond Light”
“Cosmic Collisions” delves into the destructive but beautiful collisions that fuel our universe. The show is followed by a talk by Dr Anton Dmytriiev on “Cosmic Messengers: Exploring the Universe Beyond Light”, which deals with astronomy discoveries from high-energy particles known as cosmic rays, elusive particles called neutrinos, and gravitational waves.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Wednesday, 7 October from 3pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Space Quiz
Gather your team and get ready for a fun, challenging quiz celebrating World Space Week at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.
Cost: R20pp, accepting teams of up to six
When: Wednesday, 7 October from 6pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
“Passport to the Universe” show + Astronomy Talk titled “Your place in the universe”
“Passport to the Universe” takes audiences on an incredible journey through the observable universe. The show is followed by a talk by Dr Nikhita Ramkilowan on “Your place in the universe”.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Thursday, 8 October from 3pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Code Your Own Space Game
Ready for lift-off? In this hands-on workshop, kids build their own space game using real code with guidance by Computer Scientist Chelsi Goliath.
They’ll build a rocket that follows the mouse, leaves a fiery trail behind it, and flies through a sky of twinkling stars. Clicking a star makes it burst into sparks. Along the way, they’ll learn real programming concepts like variables, loops and animation.
Kids are required to bring their own laptop, iPad, tablet and mouse.
Cost: R50pp, book via Webtickets
When: Friday, 9 October from 3pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Astronomy and Wellbeing Part 3: The Space Traveller
The night sky has inspired human beings throughout the ages. We have travelled with our imagination, created stories and poetry and art in response to our longing to travel and to understand. Constellations have guided travel across oceans and continents.
Join neurologist Dr Kirti Ranchod and travel through space and time with the words of authors and poets. This session also features a guided relaxation session, introductory neuroscience of imagination and an opportunity to share your questions and stories.
Cost: R75 per adult; R45 per child u/18, university students and pensioners o/60. Book via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 10 October from 4pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
From Earth to the Universe
In “From Earth to the Universe”, viewers are immersed in the various worlds of the solar system and feel the wild blazing of the sun, being taken to the colourful birthplaces of the stars, and to their cemeteries.
Behind the borders of the Milky Way, the unimaginable infinity awaits with its myriads of galaxies. Along the way, learn about the history of astronomy, the invention of the telescope and the current gigantic telescopes that allow us to penetrate the universe ever deeper.
Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets
When: Running until 31 October on select Saturdays at 2pm
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Two small pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope
“Two small pieces of Glass – The Amazing Telescope” follows interactions of two students with an astronomer at a local star party. The students learn the history of the telescope from Galileo’s modifications to a child’s spyglass, using two small pieces of glass, to the launch of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the future of astronomy.
Aiming to engage and appeal to audiences of all ages, the show explores the wonder and discoveries made in the last 400 years.
Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets
When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
3-2-1 Liftoff!
Alan is a brilliant but underestimated hamster scientist living in a junkyard. One day, a mysterious crash leaves a crater in his garden; inside is a damaged robot that fell from orbit. Alan soon learns the spaceship is taking off again tomorrow. This sets off a fast-paced and heartfelt adventure about getting the robot back to space in time. Suitable for 6 to12 year olds.
Cost: R45pp for kids and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets
When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Little Explorers
In this interactive science-filled space adventure, young viewers become “little explorers” on a guided journey through the Universe. The adventure takes them through the Solar System, outward to discover other stars, how constellations help us map the night sky, and how scientists study the universe using telescopes and light.
The show is appropriate for children aged 5 and up.
Cost: R45pp for kids, students and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets
When: Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Sky Tonight
In this hour-long traditional live planetarium show, attendees explore what is visible in the evening skyr; from bright planets and seasonal constellations to the Moon and deep-sky wonders, and discover how the sky helps mark time.
Designed for teens and adults, but curious younger children above 5 years with good attention spans are welcome.
Cost: R45pp for kids, students and pensioners, R75pp for adults. Book via Webtickets
When: Select Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm; Select Saturdays at 10am
Where: Digital Dome, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Yale Rd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
“We have created a high-tech 360 immersive experience,” says Dr Moumita Aich, the Head of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. “Visitors, students and researchers will enjoy an immersive experience and will feel as if they are part of the shows – whether they are gliding through the middle of the International Space Station or following a herd of wildebeest through the migrations in the Serengeti. These shows aim to entertain people of all ages, with different interests, using the latest technology – the possibilities are infinite.” Below are some of the highlights:
- The original Zeiss projector has been replaced by 10 brand new digital projectors to render an 8k full dome resolution. Each projector has its own image generator, which is controlled by a master computer
- The sound in the Digital Dome has also been upgraded to an 8.2 audio system
- The refurbished facility includes the new digital projection and sound systems and auditorium seating, with the possible future creation of a Science and Technology Exploratorium
- A new north wing expansion houses operational offices, exhibition areas, and specialised spaces for Digital Dome show planning and design
Get in touch
Website: digitaldome.wits.ac.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 717 1390
Facebook: @WitsDigitalDome
Instagram: @witsdigitaldome
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